Kamer...

The youth choir Kamēr… was founded in 1990 on the initiative of conductor Māris Sirmais, who is still the artistic leader and main conductor of the choir. The second conductor of the choir, since 2006, is Jānis Liepiš. Aina Bajāre and Ansis Sauka are the singers vocal coaches. The choir is founded and still works at First State grammar school of Rīga city. The choir now consists of about seventy young singers. The choir has toured with success, Germany, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, China, the U.S.A., Ireland and so on.

Kamēr… is a holder of the Great Music Award of Latvia and has also obtained the Grand Prix of the last three Latvian Nationwide Song & Dance Celebrations as well as prizes from more than 70 international competitions – one can mention their victory at the Marktoberdorf chamber choir competition in Germany (1999), first prizes at international choral competitions in Spittal an derDrau (Austria, 1999, 2005), Tolosa (Spain, 1996 and 2001), Tours (France, 2003), Gorizia (Italy, 1995 and 1996) etc.

One of the choir’s most valued prizes is the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing (2004) in the Italian Gorizia. Kamēr… and Māris Sirmais won the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, thus becoming the first Latvian choir to have won this award. The European Grand Prix for Choral Singing competition is organized by the six most prestigious international choral competitions in Europe – the winners of these competitions are invited to participate in the competition for the title of Europe’s best choir of the year. The second highest point was participation at the Choir Olympics China 2006 – the choir received World Choir Olympic’s Champion’s title with highest points in all three categories in Xiamen (China, 2006).

The exclusive stage partners in concerts and festivals abroad are well known violinist Gidon Kremer and orchestra KREMERata Baltica. They perform regularly at Lockenhaus chamber music festival in Austria. Kamēr… performed together with KREMERata Baltica and the noted conductor and soloist Peter Schreier, they performed with violaists Yuri Bashmet and Maxim Rysanov, cellist Julius Berger, and participated at personal composer concerts of Arvo Pärt, Giya Kanchelli and Pēteris Vasks. In 2006 Kamēr… performed at a concert presented at Latvia’s National Opera in Rīga for the Meeting of NATO Heads.